Thanks to the internet we have access to more information, and people, than we have ever had at any other point in existence. Every day more and more information is uploaded, there will be more information available to me tomorrow than there was today.

I’d like to argue that this is a good thing.

Trivial things like standing in line, waiting for your number to be called at the DMV, waiting for an order to arrive… these things that were usually filled with complete inactivity, sitting, standing, staring, have been forever altered.

Remember when people used to say that there weren’t enough hours in a day? Now you can research subsarahan climates while waiting in line at Starbucks, or send a photo of your son to your Mother, and catch up with her while making dinner.

What you’re seeing is people who now have more choices, they’re choosing to do something enriching with time that was otherwise lost.

The only time you have complainers, is when someone is on their phone while you are trying to have a discussion with them. They are telling you something, they are telling you that something is more important than your conversation – and they’re choosing to do that something. That sucks for you, but hey – at least now you know that either you, or the subject matter, are not important. It’s not warm and fuzzy information to know about that person, but now this creates that same choice – for you – to stop wasting your time on a person or subject matter that doesn’t really matter.

So, Yes, people are staring at their phones. And it’s the best thing they could be doing. It may hurt your feelings, but the reality is that we now have more opportunities than ever to focus on the things that really matter to us, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

If you’re like most Facebook users, you’re probably annoyed by the new auto-playing video features.. if you’re on your phone you are likely even wasting data by having these videos load on demand. Here are the simple instructions on how to disable auto play videos on Facebook apps and website.

Desktop

Click on the down facing arrow; the rightmost button on the top menu bar. Click on settings. Click Videos on the bottom of the list on the left. Click the drop down and select Off to disable auto play videos.